The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini and X8 were popular compact Android phones from a bygone era. Both offered a taste of Android on a smaller scale, but which one delivered a better experience? This review dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which was the better choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia X8 edges out the X10 mini due to its slightly larger screen and improved overall user experience despite similar specs. While both are dated, the X8's slightly better display and software optimization make it the marginally superior pick for those seeking a nostalgic Android experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - E10i | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| EDGE | - | Class 10 |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - E10a | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, February. Released 2010, May | 2010, June. Released 2010, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 83 x 50 x 16 mm (3.27 x 1.97 x 0.63 in) | 99 x 54 x 15 mm (3.90 x 2.13 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 88 g (3.10 oz) | 104 g (3.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~48.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~50.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT (65K effective) | TFT |
| | Timescape UI | Timescape UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) | Android 1.6 (Donut), upgradable to 2.1 (Eclair) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included |
| Internal | 128MB | 128MB 168MB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 1000 entries , Photocall |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP, EDR | 2.1, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, hotspot (v2.2 or higher) | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | HTML |
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | Yes, MIDP 2.1 |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 23 h 40 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 285 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G) | Up to 446 h (2G) / Up to 476 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 4 h 45 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1200 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Pearl White, Black, Pink, Lime, Red, Silver | White, Dark Blue/ White, Aqua Blue/ White, Pink/ White, Silver/ White |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.76 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.17 W/kg (head) | 0.84 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.5dB / Crosstalk -83.8dB |
Noise -75.6dB / Crosstalk -70.7dB |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 69dB
|
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini
- Extremely compact and pocketable
- Lightweight design
- Decent call quality
- Small screen
- Low resolution display
- Limited storage
- Poor battery life
Sony Ericsson Xperia X8
- Larger screen than X10 mini
- Slightly better software optimization
- Improved battery life
- More comfortable to type on
- Still dated hardware
- Limited storage
- Low-resolution camera
- Slow performance by modern standards
Display Comparison
The Xperia X8 boasts a 3-inch 480x854 pixel display, offering a noticeably sharper image compared to the X10 mini's 2.55-inch 320x240 pixel screen. While both are LCDs, the X8's higher resolution makes a significant difference in text clarity and image detail.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 3.15MP camera. Image quality is comparable, producing basic photos suitable for casual snapshots. Low-light performance is poor on both devices, as expected for their time. Neither phone offered video recording capabilities beyond basic quality.
Performance
Both devices share the same Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 chipset and 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU. Real-world performance is similar, with both struggling with modern apps. However, the X8's slightly better software optimization often resulted in a smoother experience.
Battery Life
The Xperia X8 has a slightly larger 1300mAh battery compared to the X10 mini's 800mAh. This translates to noticeably better battery life on the X8, allowing for more extended usage between charges.
Buying Guide
The Xperia X10 mini is for those who prioritize extreme portability above all else. The Xperia X8 is for users who want a slightly larger screen and a more refined Android experience within a compact form factor, even with older hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Neither phone is suitable for modern gaming. Both struggle with even basic games due to their limited processing power and RAM.
❓ Can I update the Android version on either phone?
Officially, no. Both phones were released with older versions of Android and are no longer supported with updates. Custom ROMs might be available, but flashing them carries risks.
